South Kings Peak, Mountain summit in Ashley National Forest, Utah, United States.
South Kings Peak is a mountain summit in the High Uintas Wilderness reaching 13,518 feet, surrounded by alpine lakes and rocky ridges that define the landscape. The terrain opens into high alpine country where snowfields linger well into summer months.
The peak was long considered Utah's highest point until satellite measurements in 1966 revealed that nearby Kings Peak actually rose higher. This correction fundamentally changed how the state's geography was understood.
The summit represents a central point in the High Uintas Wilderness, drawing mountain climbers and researchers who study the alpine ecosystem.
Reaching the summit requires a challenging hike from Henry's Fork Trailhead, with the best climbing season running from July through September in fair weather. Hikers should prepare for high alpine terrain and changeable conditions.
The mountain is part of the Uinta Range, the only major mountain chain in North America that runs in an east-west direction. This unusual orientation makes the region geologically distinctive.
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